Haptic microphone

ABSTRACT

A microphone having an embedded haptic device, along with an associated program product and methodology for controlling the haptic device. A microphone is disclosed that includes: a haptic device embedded therein capable of outputting a haptic response; and a haptic control system having an input system for receiving an external input associated with a use of the microphone, an analysis engine for analyzing the external input, and a haptic response controller for triggering the haptic response.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to undesired conditions associated withthe use of a microphone, and more particularly to a system and methodthat provides interactive haptic feedback to a user of a microphoneindicating a predetermined condition has occurred.

2. Description of the Related Art

Wireless microphones have become widely used for many applications suchas for presentations and performances. An ongoing issue with wirelessmicrophones is that such devices are subject to feedback squelch,silence due to dead spots, out of range issues, interference, etc.Often, the user is not aware that a problem is occurring or is about tooccur until it is too late.

Various squelch circuits have heretofore been proposed that for examplemute the microphone when a problem condition exists. Similarly, echosuppression techniques are known that address feedback issues with themicrophone and speaker echo. One of the problems with these solutions isthat they are reactive in nature, and do not allow the problem to beavoided altogether.

SUMMARY

Disclosed is a haptic microphone system, as well as an associatedprogram product and method in which the microphone provides hapticfeedback to a user when a predetermined alert condition occurs.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a microphone isprovided, comprising: a haptic device embedded therein capable ofoutputting a haptic response; and a haptic control system having aninput system for receiving an external input associated with a use ofthe microphone, an analysis engine for analyzing the external input, anda haptic response controller for triggering the haptic response.

In a second aspect, a program product stored on a computer readablestorage medium is provided, which when executed by a computer system,controls haptic response outputs for a microphone, comprising: programcode for receiving an external input associated with a use of themicrophone; program code for analyzing the external input to determineif an alert condition exists; and program code for triggering a hapticdevice associated with the microphone when the alert condition ispresent.

In a third aspect, a method of providing haptic feedback in a microphonehaving a haptic device is provided, comprising: receiving an externalinput associated with a use of the microphone; analyzing the externalinput to determine if an alert condition exists; and triggering thehaptic device when the alert condition is present.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features of this invention will be more readilyunderstood from the following detailed description of the variousaspects of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

FIG. 1 depicts a wireless microphone having a haptic control system inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 depicts a computer system for implementing the haptic controlsystem of FIG. 1 in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 depicts a flow diagram showing a process for implementing ahaptic response in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 depicts a flow diagram showing a process for altering hapticresponses in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

The drawings are merely schematic representations, not intended toportray specific parameters of the invention. The drawings are intendedto depict only typical embodiments of the invention, and thereforeshould not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention. In thedrawings, like reference numbering represents like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Disclosed is a haptic microphone system and method in which themicrophone provides haptic feedback to a user when an alert conditionoccurs. Haptic technology, or haptics, is a tactile feedback technologythat takes advantage of the sense of touch by applying forces,vibrations, or motions to the user.

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative embodiment showing a wireless microphone10 having a standard transmitter 12 that communicates inputted audiosignals from a user 23 to a remote receiver 14, which can then forexample be amplified and broadcast over a loudspeaker 16. It isunderstood that although generally described with reference to awireless microphone 10, the invention can be utilized in any type ofmicrophone, including hand held microphones, wired microphones,microphones embedded into headsets, etc.

In addition to standard features found on a microphone, wirelessmicrophone 10 also includes a haptic control system 18 and a hapticdevice 26 embedded therein. Based on an external input associated with auser of the wireless microphone 10, such as a detected condition orinputted warning, haptic control system 18 can activate haptic device 26causing a haptic response, i.e., a non-auditory, non-visual sensoryoutput such as a vibration. The haptic response acts as feedback for theuser 23, alerting the user 23 to some condition associated with the useof the wireless microphone 10.

For the purposes of this disclosure any type of haptic technology may beimplemented. In one illustrative embodiment, haptic device 26 mayprovide a haptic response using electromagnetic technologies such asvibratory motors, e.g., a vibrating alert similar to that used in a cellphone. In a more advanced embodiment, haptic device 26 may providedifferent types of responses indicating different external inputconditions. Further, haptic device 26 may provide touch-coordinatespecific responses, e.g., allowing the haptic effects to be localized toone or more portions of the wireless microphone 10, rather than thewhole device. Such advanced haptic actuator technologies include, e.g.,electro-active polymers, piezoelectric, electrostatic and subsonic audiowave surface actuation. These actuators can not only alert the user 23,but can also provide an enhanced user interface with a larger variety ofhaptic effects in terms of frequency range, response time and intensity.

As shown, haptic control system 18 can be implemented to detect andprocess various types of external inputs associated with the use of thewireless microphone 10 that might trigger a haptic response. Forexample, in one embodiment, the position or location of the wirelessmicrophone 10 relative to a predefined area 20 may be analyzed todetermine if the wireless microphone 10 is potentially out of range ofthe receiver 14. In an illustrative embodiment, radio frequencyidentification (RFID) tags 22 could be placed on a stage, indicating asignal boundary or echo feedback area for the wireless microphone 10.When the user 23 of the wireless microphone 10 moves close to an RFIDtag 22, haptic control system 18 could utilize an RFID receiver 19 tosense the RFID tag 22 and activate the haptic device 26 to alert theuser 23 that the user 23 is approaching an edge of the signal boundary.The user 23 can then relocate their position without any interruption tothe user's performance. Any other technique for determining the locationof the user 23 could likewise be utilized, e.g., a global positioningsystem (GPS) or cellular triangulation system could be incorporated intothe wireless microphone 10.

In a further embodiment, haptic control system 18 could analyze thebroadcast audio 24 coming from loudspeaker 16 to detect a problematiccondition. For example, if the broadcast signal 24 was distorted, hapticcontrol system 18 could recognize the distortion based on a frequencyanalysis and warn the user 23 with a haptic response.

In still a further embodiment, haptic control system 18 could becontrolled, at least in part, from a remote haptic base module 18A. Forinstance, a remote user 27 could interface with haptic base module 18Ato send alert conditions to the wireless microphone 10, such as that anallotted time for the user 23 has expired. Haptic base module 18A couldlikewise send automatically generated control signals to haptic controlsystem 18, e.g., based on environment conditions the haptic base module18A detects such as distortion, loss of signal, radio interference, etc.

In yet another embodiment, haptic control system 18 could analyze theaudio signal 25 inputted from user 23. Thus for instance, if the user'smouth was too close or far away from the wireless microphone 10, ahaptic response could be triggered. Further, if the user 23 was singingoff-pitch, singing too slow or fast, too soft or loud, a haptic responsecould likewise be triggered. The audio signal 25 could be analyzed inany known manner to detect such issues, e.g., using a signal processorto identify unwanted frequencies, to identify beats/per/minute, toidentify input loudness levels, etc. The signal processor could utilizeanalog circuits, such as filtering arrangements, or digital signalprocessing electronics implemented, e.g., with an application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC) device.

FIG. 2 depicts a computer system 30 having a haptic control system 18,suitable for incorporation into a wireless microphone. Haptic controlsystem 18 includes: an input system 40 for receiving one or moreexternal inputs 38 regarding a use of the wireless microphone; ananalysis engine 42 for analyzing external input(s) 38 to determine if analert condition exists; and a haptic response controller 44 forcontrolling and triggering haptic device 26. It is understood thatcomputer system 30 may be distributed among two or more physicaldevices, such that some of the processing is done within the wirelessmicrophone and some is done elsewhere (e.g., a haptic base module 18Ashown in FIG. 1). Accordingly, physical construction may integratehaptic control system 18 completely into a microphone, headset, or otherrecording/broadcasting device. Alternatively, haptic control system 18may be implemented within a separate module, potentially attached to abelt, in a pocket, on a strap, or some other location, either wired orwith a wireless configuration.

As noted, various types of external input 38 are contemplated for inputand analysis by haptic control system 18. Examples shown in FIG. 2include: position information 46 (e.g., RFID field strength used todetermine if the microphone is in an echo feedback zone), broadcastsignal information 48 (e.g., output from a loudspeaker used to determineif there is distortion), input signal information 50 (e.g., audiosignals inputted into the wireless microphone 10 used to determine ifthe user is singing out of pitch), and time allotment 52 (e.g., arunning clock used to determine if the user has exceeded an allottedtime). Obviously, additional types of external input 38 could beanalyzed, and the inputs described herein are for illustrative purposesnot intended to limit the scope of the invention.

Analysis engine 42 may utilize any technique or algorithm for analyzingan external input 38 to determine if an alert condition is met. Forinstance, in a case where position information 46 comprises thedetection of an RFID tag 22 (FIG. 1), an alert condition would beautomatically triggered by analysis engine 42. In other examples, signalinformation 48 could be analyzed using commonly known techniques todetermine signal strength, and if a the signal strength was less than athreshold, an alert condition could be generated; performancecharacteristics 50 such as pitch could be analyzed using frequencyanalysis to identify unwanted frequencies and generate alert conditions;time information 52 could be compared to a running clock to determine ifa time over-run condition exists, etc.

Once an alert condition is recognized, haptic response controller 44 cantrigger activation of haptic device 26. In a simple example, hapticresponse controller 44 causes haptic device 26 to vibrate using anelectromagnetic motor. In more advanced implementations, haptic responsecontroller 44 can select a haptic response from a set of haptic responsechoices. For instance, a series of escalating haptic responses could begenerated as the user gets closer and closer to an echo feedback zone.The types of input and/or responses utilized by haptic control system 18may be determined based on configuration setting 45. The configurationsettings 45 may for example be implemented using a program interfaceprovided by the haptic control system 18.

FIG. 3 depicts a flow diagram (with reference to FIGS. 1-2) showing aprocess of implementing a haptic control system 18 (“system 18”) thatutilizes RFID tags 22 to alert the user when a wireless microphone 10enters an undesired location. First, at S1, the haptic control system 18is started, e.g., when the wireless microphone 10 is powered on. Next,at S2, a check is made to determine if the haptic control system 18 isoperational. If no, a diagnostic process is run at S3 and the check atS2 is repeated. If yes, then a check is made to determine if the systemconfigurations settings 45 associated with system 18 are properly set atS4. This may for example include checking haptic response settingsstored in firmware. If no, the system 18 is configured at S5, e.g., witha user-configuration settings program. Once configured, a test isperformed at S6 to determine if the new configuration settings 45 areproperly implemented. If no, the system 18 is disabled at S8. If yes,the process loops back to S2.

Once the system configuration settings 45 are set, a determination ismade at S7 whether the system 18 is operational and actively scanningfor RFID tags 22. If no, the system 18 is disabled at S8. If yes, acheck is made to determine if an RFID field is detected at S9. If nofield is detected, the process loops back to S7. If a field is detected,a haptic response is outputted at S10. The type of haptic response maybe determined based on the configuration settings 45, e.g., a firstwarning may comprises a single vibration, a second warning may comprisetwo vibrations, etc. After the haptic response is output, the system 18loops back to S7.

FIG. 4 depicts a sub-process for managing the generation of hapticresponses based on proximity to an RFID tag 22. In particular, FIG. 4describes an illustrative sub-process that can be implemented withinprocess S10 of FIG. 3. At S11, a haptic response output sequence isinitiated. At S12, the distance from the RFID tag 22 is determined basedon a received RFID signal and at S13 a determination is made whether thedistance field (i.e., location) of the wireless microphone 10 relativeto the RFID tag 22 changed since a previous check. If yes, adetermination is made at S14 whether the wireless microphone 10 is nowout of range of the RFID tag 22, indicating that the user 23 has movedaway from the problem location. If the wireless microphone 10 is out ofrange, then the system 18 reverts back to scan mode, i.e., process S7 ofFIG. 3. If the wireless microphone 10 is not out of range or thedistance field did not change, then the specific field information(i.e., current location of the wireless microphone relative to the RFIDtag 22) is determined at S15. Based on this determination, the hapticresponse is adjusted at S16 and the process loops back to S13. Thus, forexample, if the user was moving closer and closer to the RFID tag 22,then an escalating series of haptic responses could be issued until theuser moved away.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the presentinvention may be embodied as a system, method or computer programproduct. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the formof an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment(including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or anembodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may allgenerally be referred to herein as a “system.” Furthermore, aspects ofthe present invention may take the form of a computer program productembodied in one or more computer readable medium(s) having computerreadable program code embodied thereon.

Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may beutilized. The computer readable medium comprises a computer readablestorage medium. A computer readable storage medium may be, for example,but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic,infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitablecombination of the foregoing. More specific examples (a non-exhaustivelist) of the computer readable storage medium would include thefollowing: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-onlymemory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device,or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of thisdocument, a computer readable storage medium may be any tangible mediumthat can contain, or store a program for use by or in connection with aninstruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

Alternatively, the program product could be embodied on computerreadable signal medium which may include a propagated data signal withcomputer readable program code embodied therein, for example, inbaseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may takeany of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to,electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. Acomputer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium thatis not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate,propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with aninstruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmittedusing any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless,wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination ofthe foregoing.

Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of thepresent invention may be written in any combination of one or moreprogramming languages, including an object oriented programming languagesuch as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional proceduralprogramming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similarprogramming languages. The program code may execute entirely on theuser's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alonesoftware package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remotecomputer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latterscenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computerthrough any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or awide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an externalcomputer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet ServiceProvider).

The computer system 30 of FIG. 2 may comprise any type of computingdevice and is shown including a one or more processors 34, memory 32, aninput/output (I/O) 36 (e.g., one or more I/O interfaces and/or devices),and a communications pathway 37. In general, processor(s) 34 executeprogram code, such as haptic control system 18, which is at leastpartially fixed in memory 32. While executing program code, processor(s)34 can process data, which can result in reading and/or writingtransformed data from/to memory 32 and/or I/O 36 for further processing.Pathway 37 provides a communications link between each of the componentsin computer system 30. I/O 36 can comprise one or more human I/Odevices, which enable a user to interact with computer system 30. Tothis extent, haptic control system 18 can manage a set of interfaces(e.g., graphical user interface(s), application program interface,and/or the like) that enable human and/or system users to interact withthe haptic control system 18. Further, haptic control system 18 canmanage (e.g., store, retrieve, create, manipulate, organize, present,etc.) data, such as configuration setting, using any solution.

In any event, computer system 30 can comprise one or more generalpurpose computing articles of manufacture (e.g., computing devices)capable of executing program code. As used herein, it is understood that“program code” means any collection of instructions, in any language,code or notation, that cause a computing device having an informationprocessing capability to perform a particular action either directly orafter any combination of the following: (a) conversion to anotherlanguage, code or notation; (b) reproduction in a different materialform; and/or (c) decompression. To this extent, haptic control system 18can be embodied as any combination of system software and/or applicationsoftware.

Aspects of the present invention are described with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer program instructions. These computer program instructions maybe provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, specialpurpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus toproduce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via theprocessor of the computer or other programmable data processingapparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified inthe flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computerreadable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable dataprocessing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readablemedium produce an article of manufacture including instructions whichimplement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer,other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to causea series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, otherprogrammable apparatus or other devices to produce a computerimplemented process such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer or other programmable apparatus provide processes forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof code, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be notedthat, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in theblock may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, twoblocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantiallyconcurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverseorder, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be notedthat each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, andcombinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchartillustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-basedsystems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations ofspecial purpose hardware and computer instructions.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. Thedescription of the present invention has been presented for purposes ofillustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Theembodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the invention and the practical application, and to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention forvarious embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

What is claimed is:
 1. A microphone, comprising: a system for receivingan external input associated with a use of the microphone; a system foranalyzing the external input to determine if the microphone isapproaching an edge of a predefined area, wherein the external inputincludes a radio frequency identification (RFID) field that defines thepredefined area, the RFID field including a plurality of RFID tagsindicating a signal boundary or an echo feedback area for themicrophone; and a system for triggering a haptic response on a hapticdevice within the microphone, wherein the haptic response is adjustedbased on a proximity to the predefined area.
 2. The microphone of claim1, wherein the external input further comprises broadcast signalinformation.
 3. The microphone of claim 1, wherein the external inputfurther comprises information regarding an audio signal being inputtedinto the microphone.
 4. The microphone of claim 1, wherein the externalinput further comprises a signal generated from a remote user.
 5. Aprogram product stored on a non-transitory computer readable storagemedium, which when executed by a computer system, controls hapticresponse outputs for a microphone, comprising: program code forreceiving an external input associated with a use of the microphone;program code for analyzing the external input to determine if themicrophone is approaching an edge of a predefined area, wherein theexternal input includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) fieldthat defines the predefined area, the RFID field including a pluralityof RFID tags indicating a signal boundary or an echo feedback area forthe microphone; and program code for triggering a haptic response on ahaptic device associated with the microphone, wherein the hapticresponse is adjusted based on a proximity to a predefined location. 6.The program product of claim 5, wherein the external input furthercomprises broadcast signal information.
 7. The program product of claim5, wherein the external input further comprises information regarding anaudio signal being inputted into the microphone.
 8. The program productof claim 5, wherein the external input further comprises a signalgenerated from a remote user.
 9. A microphone, comprising: a hapticdevice embedded therein capable of outputting a series of escalatinghaptic responses; and a haptic control system having an input system forreceiving an external input associated with a position of the microphonein a space, an analysis engine for analyzing a received external input,and a haptic response controller for triggering the series of escalatinghaptic responses as the microphone changes position within the space.10. The microphone of claim 9, wherein the external input comprisesradio frequency identification (RFID) information.
 11. The microphone ofclaim 10, wherein each haptic response within the series of escalatinghaptic responses is associated with a unique RFID signal.
 12. Themicrophone of claim 9, wherein the external input comprises a signalgenerated from a remote user.
 13. The microphone of claim 9, wherein themicrophone is wireless.
 14. The microphone of claim 1, wherein thesystem for receiving the external input to determine if the microphoneis approaching the edge of the predefined area includes an RFID receiverfor sensing at least one of the plurality of RFID tags to indicate themicrophone is approaching the edge of the signal boundary or the echofeedback area.
 15. The program product of claim 5, wherein the programcode for receiving the external input to determine if the microphone isapproaching the edge of the predefined area receives a signal from anRFID receiver for sensing at least one of the plurality of RFID tags toindicate the microphone is approaching the edge of the signal boundaryor the echo feedback area.